Dr Ram Raju, a leading medical practitioner based in Nadi, added voluntary support to a Nadi-Sigatoka Health Walk relay held yesterday in Fiji Islands. The walk was supported by a number of local organisations (such as the Nadi Rotary Club) and its aim was to highlight to members of the public, how healthy walking exercise is an excellent way of improving health and fitness. The volunteers, such as Dr Ram Raju, helped to emphasise the benefits of regular brisk walking as well as raising awareness of the dangers of smoking, dangerous driving and littering.

Following the release of statistics by the Ministry of Health relating to the high proportion (83%) of deaths due to non-communicable diseases, a vigorous anti-smoking campaign has been underway in Fiji over the past couple of months. Smoking on public transport such as buses and mini-vans, for example, has been banned, and the public asked to support the cause by reporting to authorities any breaches of this policy.

The Nadi-Sigatoka health walk relay conducted at the weekend has helped to emphasise further the benefits of adopting more healthy lifestyle practices.